Radioactive Metal Podcast

We're back! Due to technical and scheduling snafus, we found ourselves taking a minor sabbatical. During that time we were saddened to learn of the loss of Jennifer Finch of the mighty L7. Not only were the band a highly influential outfit, these pioneers held a special place in our hearts and record collections. So we felt it was time to feature L7 in our Band Spotlight episodes. We tackle a variety of related topics including our first discovery of L7, fave material, "Camel Lips" and the so called controversies surrounding their illustrious career. Which we hope isn't over yet. Musically, we crank some new and used from the aforementioned L7, Blasphemy (Can), Zoetrope, Wrathchild (UK), 7 Year Bitch, Iron Flame, The Shocker, Steelion and we introduce hometown black metallers Piss Chalice in our "Indie Spotlight". Rest In Power, Jennifer

All Hail the Exalted Piledriver!! The career of the influential Canadian outfit Piledriver was short but sweet. Two fantastic albums of Quality over Quantity. This year marks the 40th (!) birthday of record #2, "Stay Ugly". So it's appropriate to tap this record for our "40th Anniversary Album Spotlight Series". We discuss all things Pilely then do a track by tack deep dive into this amazing platter. Rest In Power, Gord! We miss you. In our "News, Views and Tuners", we discuss the new "Masters Of The Universe" and "Jaws 2" films. Musically, we crank some Piledriver, Xentrix, War On Women, Desecration, Tyrann, Convict, Skelator, Iron Kingdom and we introduce Montreal bashers Shroud in our "Indie Spotlight". Horns Up!!

We all gotta start somewhere. For underground Metal bands in the 80s, the Metal Forces magazine "Demolition" section was a great place to start. It exposed artists demo tapes to their readers and got them going in the tape trading dept. And a number of then unknown artists appearing would go onto become known. Namely legends like Slayer and Megadeth. But that's just the tip of the Metalberg. This week we're going thru the first ten issues of that essential British rag and sharing all those "names" that appeared. Prepare to say "Wow!" In our "News, Views and Tunes", we attend a record release gig and Snowy takes a liking to a country (!!) artist. Musically, we crank new and used from The Accused, Agent Steel, Hirax, Necronomicon (Ger.), Cripple Bastards, Solanum, Evil, Shaved Ape and some Xecutioner (pre Obituary '85 demo). Horns Up!!  

Around the RAM offices, vinyl is King. The CD is our silver medalist. And finally, the cassette is still a thing in metallic lives. So this week we're discussing all things cassette. Do we still collect and how many do we still have? Our first and faves. And our mix tape making abilities. Don't hit the FF button in this episode. In our "News, Views and Tunes", we take in our first "Black Flag" gig and the Manitoba Metalfest. Musically, we crank the aforementioned Black Flag, Jello Biafra, Gatecreeper, Nocturnal Departure, Septic Death, Black Death, Eternal and we introduce Italy's Propaganda Of Terror in our "Indie Spotlight". Horns Up!!

We're not exactly spring chickens around here anymore. Retirement from our "money jobs" will be here sooner than later. So what are going to do with all our free time? Maybe start a fanzine. How about volunteering with our local indie promoter? For you tech types, how about gear restoration? There's so much a dedicated Metalhead can do for the betterment of Metaldom. We hope this episode gives you some cool suggestions. In our "News, Views and Tunes", we get into some more Gear Talk and our "Free Comic Book Day". Musically, we crank some Nunslaughter, Sadistic Intent, Genocide Pact, MainEEaxe, Killer, Get The Most, Demon Spell, Runn Amucks and we introduce Italy's Phantom Menace (!) in our "Indie Spotlight". Horns Up!!

The vocalist is the face and voice of a musical group. The Wonderful World of Heavy Metal have a gazilion frontpersons that are both super talented and are quite the characters. This week we figured we would once again call upon the fantastic "High Infidelity" flick and present our "Top 5" of Metal vocalists. We share some legendary names. And have a few dark horses too. In our "News, Views and Tunes", we checked off a Bucket List concert and discuss Nicko McBrain's wrasslin niece. Musically, we crank some Bathory, The Exploited, Necrophagia, Bitch, Sortilege, Mortuary, Putred, Rotheads, The Whatevermen and we introduce Arizona 80s rocker Show 'N Tell in our "Indie Spotlight". Raise your voices and Horns Up!!

NWOBHM legends Iron Maiden recently got tapped to go into the Rock n Roll Hall Of Fame. So with Bruce and the Boyz on the minds of Metalheads the world over, we figure it's a great time to discuss one of their classic albums. "Somewhere In Time" recently turned 40. So we decided now was the time to feature the effort in our ongoing "40th Anniversary Album Spotlight". We go over the "this and thats" and do a track by track deep dive. In our "News, Views and Tunes", we discuss Maiden in the HOF and the Morotti/Suffocation sitch. Musically, we crank Blitzkreig, Satan, Thunderstick, Tailgunner, Witchburner, Atomic Aggressor, Helvetets Port, Brainwash Victims and we introduce Italy's Alcatrax in our "Indie Spotlight". Horns Up!! 

Believe it or not, the classic Judas Priest album "Turbo" recently celebrated its 40th Bday! This is an interesting album in the whole JP discography. Fans were split as the band experimented with more modern sounds and images in an effort to look more "80s". So its a great time to feature "Turbo" in our "40th Anniversay Album Spotlight Series". We do a track by track deep dive. And share how we discovered the record, the controversial 80s overhaul and if JP could truly be considered NWOBHM. Luv it or hate it, you no doubt have a strong opinion of it. Musically, we crank some D.R.I., Pig Destroyer, Vreid, Temple of Void, Sinner, Savage, Turbo (the Polish band) and we feature British bangers Olympus in our "Indie Spotlight". Horns Up!!

There's this old adage of "Opinions are like aholes. Everyone has one and they all stink". So in that spirit, we thought we'd share some of ours this week. As teens, the British tome, Metal Forces, was a fave. Every year the magazine presented their "Reader's Poll" results. And we recently stumbled on the results from '83 in Issue 3. So we figured we'd give them the once over and cast our own ballots. Forty three years late.  In our "News, Views and Tunes", we pay tribute to Ross The Boss. Musically, we crank some Henry Rollins, Trauma, Fulci, Witchslayer, Original Sin, Stormkeep and introduce Austria's Rambow in our "Indie Spotlight". Horns Up!

Inspired by our Rock n Roll Hall Of Fame discussion last week, we decided to test our Metal. Being trivia buffs, we came up with the idea of Aaron testing Snowy on his knowledge of said HOF. Essentially, Aaron threw out an artist and Snowy had to take an educated guess as to the year they went into the Hall. You'll be able to hear the wheels turning through your device. In our "News, Views and Tunes", we pay tribute to Motorhead's Phil Campbell. Rest In Power!! Musically, we crank some Jello Biafra, Artillery, Repulsion, The Great Kat, Steve Grimmett's Grim Reaper, Persian Risk, Poison Dollys, Blood Oath and we introduce TX thrashers Accuser in our "Indie Spotlight". Horns Up!!

The nominees for this years Rock n Roll Hall of Fame hopefuls was recently released. Of course, we're squarely behind the mighty Iron Maiden getting their log overdue accolades. But there's also a number of other artists that both nod and shake our heads. So this week we go through the list and play our most comprehensive game of "Should and Will" yet. Namely who we think should go in. And who we think will get the honors this year. Who are your picks? Musically, we crank some new and used from Metal Church, Exciter, Paul DiAnno's Warhorse, Wild Dogs, Warsenal, Cheap Perfume, Howler, Meat Vault and we introduce Swedish metallers Savage Sword in our "Indie Spotlight". Horns Up!! 

Heavy Metallers have traditionally been complete package type people. The tunes rule, of course. But we also enjoy the physical product as a whole. And the album graphics could serve two purposes: for both art and/or promotion. And this week we go deep into the discussion. How 'bout for you. Do the album covers make or break a record for you? In our "News, Views and Tunes", we go over Seb Bach as the new (live) Twisted Sister vocalist and we hit up a local record con. Musically, we crank some Dark Throne, Vitamin X, Portrait, Haggus, Black Lace, Obsession (US), Cyclone and we introduce LA hardcore bashers Broken Focus in our "Indie Spotlight". Horns Up!! 

The '86 Alice Cooper album "Constrictor" is a rather important effort. This album #17 (!) is a comeback album of sorts for Cooper. The shock rocker spent the 80s up to this point battling demons which resulted in some terrible records. This record showcased a clean, reinvigorated Alice. And the result was a masterpiece. And as for RAM, this album was basically our starting point in our Alice fandom. So this week we're giving this platter our "40th Anniversary Album Spotlight Series" treatment. We discuss how we discovered the album, it's importance in our lives and the hired guns behind the music. Like Kip Winger (!!) Then of course we do a track by track deep dive. Alice does indeed live here. In our "News, Views and Tunes", we binged the "Riot Women" BBC TV show. Musically, we crank some Midnight, Betsy (Bitch), Spectral Wound, Lead Injector, First Jason, Tyrant (US), Juggernaut and we introduce Chile's Night Savage in our "Indie Spotlight". Horns Up!!

1986 was an interesting year in the Black Sabbath camp. Fan interest was waning. Bands that Sabbath influenced were leaving them in the dust. And the band's 12th album "Seventh Star" wasn't doing them any favors. At this point, Sabbath was basically the Tony Iommi Project and the Sabbath sound was abandoned for something a little more 80s friendly. So this week we decided to tackle this forgotten record in our "40th Anniversary Album Spotlight Series". We go into everything surrounding the band at the time before doing a deep dive into the album. This was not your Dad's Sabbath. Or anyone else's for that matter. In our "News, Views and Tunes", we pay tribute to Mark from Impetigo (RIP). Musically, we crank Exhumed, Jello Biafra, Trouble, The Obsessed, the aforementioned Impetigo, Death Row (Ger), Leatherhead, Black Knight and we introduce British punkers Be N!ce in our "Indie Spotlight". Horns Up!! 

Record Store Day is once again on the horizon. RSD is easily one of our fave days of the year. And part of the countdown is the release of the RSD list of special releases. So as is tradition around here we like to go over the list "on the air" and share which records are on our own (want) list. Go to www.recordstoreday.com and make your own picks. Musically, we crank some new and used from Obituary, Visigoth, In Defense, Delilah Bon, Death Dealer, Thron, Deliverance (UK) and we introduce Norwegian bashers Rioter in our "Indie Spotlight". Horns Up and Happy Hunting!

The verdict is in! The new self titled Megadeth album has found a regular spot on our stereos. And it's awesome! If this record is indeed the swan song for Dave and the Boyz, they can go out with their heads held high and their Horns in the air. This week we decided to take a cue from the amazing "High Fidelity" flick and share our Top 5 Megadeth albums from their vast discography. And where exactly this new record fits it, if at all. Always makes for a great conversation. In our "News, Views and Tunes', our home state university USC brought home the gold in the Metallica Marching Band Competition!! Musically, we crank some New and Used from Agnostic Front, MDC, Laaz Rockit, 7 Year Bitch, Carnivore AD, Axe Victims and we introduce Brazilian bashers Stygian in our "Indie Spotlight'. Horns Up!!

1,2 F You! The crushing debut from the Canadian thrashers Slaughter is an all fave around the RAM office. "Strappado" is also the one of the most influential albums in the Death Metal underground. And, this platter of splatter is celebrating its fourth decade (!) of existence this year. So this week we're featuring it in our "40th Anniversary Album Spotlight Series". We do a track by track deep dive. Share how we first discovered the mighty Slaughter. And try to straighten out the whole monicker mess with the fake (s)laughter. Happy Bday to drummer/founder Ron Sumner who was celebrating his Bday when we pressed "record". In our "News, Views and Tunes', we share our chat with an A.I. music creator and put over the new Megadeth record. Musically, we crank some Slaughter, Nunslaughter, Kate's Acid, Dr. And The Crippens, Gravewitch, Outpost 31 and introduce Seattle's Rotgut in our "Indie Spotlight". Horns Up!!  

We're a little late off the mark. But we finally go the amazing "Stranger Things" series in the books. So this week we decided to discuss all the strange goin-ons in Hawkins. Apart from the usual thoughts about the show, we discuss the power of music, the Kate Bush fandom in Metaldom, share our own trials and tribulations from high school and ask the question - "Eddie Munson - Maiden or Metallica?" Musically, we crank some tunes we feel Eddie would've given The Horns to including Angel Witch, Razor, Power Trip, Destroyer 666, Skull Fist, Solanum, Riot City and we introduce Brazil's Grey Wolf in our "Indie Spotlight". Horns Up!!

1986 was an absolute barnburner of a year. Numerous, now veteran bands and artists hit the garage for the first time. So many now classic albums hit the racks then onto our turntables and ghetto blasters. And there were new stories that rocked all of Metaldom. As well, this year, believe it or not, 1986 turns 40 years young. So as is tradition 'round here, we're doing a deep dive into this banner year. So for the young'ens, this will be quite educational. For the veterans, this will be an awesome strut down memory lane. Musically, we crank some Terrorizer, Hirax, Manilla Road, All Pigs Must Die, Kat, Traitor, Burning Path and we introduce Chile's Caprice Steel in our "Indie Spotlight". Horns up!!  

It's that time again! 2025 is in the books. So around here that means it's time for our annual Rammy Awards! To our newer listeners hopping aboard this year, there are the Radioactive Metal version of the Grammy Awards. You know, R.A.M...Rammies...Grammies. We're so clever. To the winners, sorry, there's no trophy or place in Metaldom infamy. We basically kick back and share our faves of '25 in the categories that mean the most to Metalheads. Best Band, Album, Live a.o. Aswell, we make our inductions into the Radioactive Metal Hall of Fame. Play along with your picks! Musically, we crank some Sacrifice, Unholy Grave, Hellion, Exxecutioner and Antagonizer. Horns up and here's to an amazing 2026!